AFCON 2025Q: Joseph Paintsil ruled out of Niger clash

Accra, Ghana - September 9, 2024 - The Black Stars have suffered a double blow with the loss of two key players, Joseph Paintsil and Jerome Opoku, ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger on Monday, September 9, 2024.

According to head coach Otto Addo, Paintsil is facing issues with his US work permit and has been granted permission to visit the embassy to resolve the matter. Opoku, on the other hand, has been ruled out due to injury.

The duo's absence comes as a significant setback for the Black Stars, who are seeking to redeem themselves after a disappointing loss to Angola in their opening qualifier. 

"He [Jerome Opoku] will be out for this game. Also, Joseph Painstil, there is some issue with his work permit for the US," said Addo.

"For that, he has to go to the US Embassy. The procedure takes some days. We needed his passport when he wanted to come to Morocco. We couldn't take him there. We were hoping he would finish everything fast at the US Embassy. But, like I said, I think it takes more than three, four, five days. He had to do it because otherwise, he couldn't return to his club in the US. So, both of them will not be available,''he added,

Source : Lead News Online